Dear Friend,
Thank you for surrounding the Decision America Northeast Tour in prayer. We’re in awe of how God has worked.
In a region now considered one of the most spiritually dark places in the United States, tens of thousands came out to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and thousands of people made life-changing decisions for Christ.
We stopped in seven cities inviting people to repent of their sin and accept Jesus by faith: Portland, Maine; Burlington, Vermont; Manchester, New Hampshire; Springfield, Massachusetts; East Providence, Rhode Island; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Syracuse, New York.
Kim, a prayer counselor in Portland, said the event was an answer to prayer and something that people across her city desperately needed. At the invitation, she prayed with two women who received Jesus Christ into their lives as their Lord and Savior. Both women, in their 50s, said they were longtime church members but did not know how to have a relationship with Christ until they heard the Gospel that night. They were excited to begin using the discipleship resources we provided, and Kim encouraged them to connect with other believers in a Bible-believing church nearby.
In Burlington, I told the crowd that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. But the only way you can find that plan is to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior and follow Him as Lord of your life. When I invited people to stand to indicate they were making a decision for Christ, it began to lightly rain. In the Bible, rain is a sign of God’s blessing, and what a blessing it was to see so many people put their faith in the Savior. Will you pray for them?
A Vermont reporter asked me if I were to sit down with Bernie Sanders, what would I ask him. The reporter seemed a little surprised when I answered, “I’d ask him about his spiritual journey.” That’s way more important than taxes or socialism. The most important question in life—and in death—is, “What did you do with Jesus Christ?” Our eternity depends on the answer to that.
In Rhode Island, more than 4,100 people came out to Bold Point Park. It was so packed that officials shut the gates and wouldn’t allow any more people in!
I shared with the crowd that I wasn’t in East Providence to offer religion. There are lots of religions in the world, but there’s only one Jesus! Religion can’t save your soul from Hell, but Jesus Christ can. We praise God for each person who found the hope and security that can only come through Jesus.
On the final stop, in Syracuse, New York, more than 6,400 people filled Lakeview Amphitheater, where rain forecasts gave way to a beautiful spring evening for the tour’s largest crowd.
There’s lots of religions in the world, but there’s only one Jesus!
I’m grateful for all of the churches, staff, and the many volunteers whose participation made this seven-state tour possible. Leading up to the meetings, we held many events across the Northeast to train Christians, equip the church, and pray that God would break up the hard ground and prepare the soil for the preaching of the Word.
We pray the Good News continues to transform lives. Through your prayers and gifts, you have a vital part in getting the Gospel to searching hearts.
>> Give to the ongoing Decision America Tour.
The time is short—none of us knows how much longer God will leave us on this earth. While we are here, we must proclaim the truth of His Word. God does not call everyone to a preaching ministry, but He does call His followers to tell others what He has done. The Bible says, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NKJV).
We Need More of God in This Country, Not Less
Recently, the New York Times reported that politicians have been making changes to U.S. House of Representative traditions, including some committee chairmen intentionally omitting the words “so help me God” from the swearing-in oath. Is there no longer room for God in the U.S. Congress?
One representative from Tennessee said, “I think God belongs in religious institutions: in temple, in church, in cathedral, in mosque—but not in Congress.” What he and other leaders of the House are suggesting is just what communism did in Eastern Europe and is still doing in places around the world like Cuba. Communism only allows worship inside approved churches. We need more of God in this country, not less!
Intercessory prayer—prayer for others—is something very close to the heart of God. The Bible tells us to pray for those in authority, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior ” (1 Timothy 2:2–3).
Recently, I asked churches and followers of Christ across our nation to set aside Sunday, June 2, as a special day of prayer for the president, Donald J. Trump. We thank God that tens of thousands told us they prayed. Christians should be praying for him regularly—as we should for any president of the United States, for members of Congress and the Supreme Court, and for all who are in authority.
We are instructed to pray for what God wants—His will to be done in our lives, our communities, and our nation. Through prayer, God remolds desires and brings our hearts into union with His will. When we bring our petitions before God, we must ask that they line up with His heart. For followers of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us.
An Invasive Threat to Religious Liberty
We are living today in an unprecedented age. Tolerance, diversity, and relevance are the buzzwords of the 21st century, not only in politics and culture but also in religious circles. Many preach that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but want to alter His message to fit our ever-changing culture.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted in favor of what House leaders call the Equality Act, a bill that represents an invasive threat to religious liberty in America. The purpose is to give special privileges to people based on homosexual behavior or based on gender identity.
The act, if it becomes law, would force people in America to affirm homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and transgenderism or be punished—even if they have religious objections. This is the opposite of Biblical truth and the religious freedom our Founding Fathers cherished.
The Equality Act would have a great impact on our daily lives, including forcing churches, schools, and public places to allow men into women’s restrooms. The bill would also force businesses to ignore biological gender as the standard for separating men and women in other public facilities and services including showers and locker rooms. Private schools and professional sports teams could be pressured to embrace the subjective gender identity as the new standard.
Begin Praying for the Decision America North Carolina Tour
Our country desperately needs God! Please begin praying for the Decision America North Carolina Tour this fall. My father and I were raised in North Carolina, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has strong ties to the state. The N.C. General Assembly passed a resolution in 2013 naming my father “North Carolina’s Favorite Son.” Yet the forces of godless secularism are spreading rapidly in this part of the country as well.
Since the Decision America Tours began in 2016, they have largely been driven by a desire to stand for and instill Biblical values in the next generation.
I want to warn Christians about a threat we face today—the sweeping impact godless secularism is having on our nation, on our children, and on our grandchildren. We can’t stick our heads in the sand and pretend these forces of evil are dormant. I cannot and will not stand idly by and watch them push their anti-God and anti-family values, and I pray you will take a stand as well.
By God’s grace and with God’s help we will “fight the good fight ” (1 Timothy 6:12). Your prayers and gifts are needed to take the Gospel to thousands of hearts in the Tar Heel state, across the rest of America, and to countries around the world. To God be the Glory!
May God richly bless you,
Franklin Graham
President
